Yee-haw

Texas-themed tavern tries luck in troubled Warehouse District space

Texas Tavern's bar will be fully stocked with Lone Star State spirits.

Over the last five years, a string of concepts have failed to take hold at 208 W. Fourth St. Now, a new bar and restaurant is hoping to succeed in the space by going back to basics.

Texas Tavern comes from an ownership group that includes John Nelson, Craig Cargill, Doug Quint, and Péché’s Rob Pate. According to Cargill, the project will launch July 12 for soft opening before resuming regular hours on July 17.

The Warehouse District address has suffered from rapid turnover. Caribbean-inspired Pleasant Storage Room shuttered in December 2014 after less than a year in business, followed by the similar concept Isla, which ended its two-year run in May 2017.

Most recently, Bar Rescue personality Russell Davis opened Ivy League-themed Academia in December 2017. That bar quietly closed in late April.

While the previous projects were relatively high-concept, Texas Tavern takes a more straightforward approach. Cargill tells CultureMap that the focus will be Southern-style food and Lone Star spirits.

The menu, he says, will include comfort dishes like fried green tomatoes, a Bourbon bacon BLT, pulled pork sliders with vinegar slaw, skillet apple pie, and a classic wedge salad. Though approachable, the fare will have a few upscale twists. A chili cheese burger, for example, will feature a brioche bun and a brisket patty that is both smoked and grilled.

The bar will be fully stocked with beer, wine, and spirits, but there will be an emphasis on local sourcing that is true to Texas Tavern’s name.

“We are really going to highlight the Texas products from local craft [beer] to local distilleries,” explains Cargill. “We will carry a lot of higher-end products, but we really want to support and push the Texas products.”

Though the owners are variously involved in live music management and Kyle country showcase The Railhouse, Cargill says Texas Tavern will not be a venue. However, guests can expect the occasional set from acoustic duos or trios on a small stage.

Following the soft opening, Texas Tavern will be open Wednesday through Sunday, 11 am to 2 am.

downtown openings drinks dinner cocktails craft-beer nightlife

Grocery news haul

Grocery service Farmhouse Delivery returns to Austin with fun surprise

Courtesy photo

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After suddenly halting its operations in May, grocery service Farmhouse Delivery is on its way back, with an extra surprise for Austin: a new storefront.

Known for offering locally prepared foods and produce from small Central Texas farms, the subscription-based service emailed its loyal customers on Monday, November 18, to share the relaunch news and outline its plans for the future.

“We’ve missed you and are beyond grateful for your patience as we’ve been hard at work planning the next chapter of Farmhouse Delivery,” the newsletter reads. “Soon, you’ll once again have fresh, local food delivered straight to your doorstep[.]”

Farmhouse Delivery is aiming for a December date to resume deliveries, they say. They've used the intervening six months to not only revamp their existing business model, but to expand their offerings.

The biggest surprise in the newsletter was a revelation of plans for a new storefront in Austin, blending a cozy farmer’s market vibe with what they call “the best parts of your favorite grocer — where you can discover fresh foods, refill on essentials, connect with other members on sustainable living, and, of course, [shop] our best local products — all in innovative, reusable packaging.”

The email did not divulge details for the location or timing of the storefront project.

The company also plans to introduce a new membership model with exclusive benefits such as sneak peeks of new products and promotions.

Underscoring its commitment to sustainability, Farmhouse also announced that it’s working toward a completely plastic-free delivery:

“Expect to see your favorite items in sustainable packaging, with rewards for returning and reusing Farmhouse materials. Together, let’s reduce waste and make sustainable choices the coolest thing to do.”

The newsletter invited customers to complete a survey to help shape the ongoing Farmhouse experience. There, customers can indicate their desired delivery day (or days) and the factors that influence that preference (meal planning, work schedule, etc.), as well as specific products they would like to see in future deliveries.

Survey participants can also designate their preferred price point for memberships and the most appealing benefits from a long list, including free deliveries, additional delivery days, free products, members-only cooking classes, exclusive content, and more.

Neither the newsletter nor the Farmhouse website announced a specific date for relaunching, but returning and new customers can keep an eye on the website and social media for further details.

delivery farmhouse grocery supermarkets